Cross Drill or Slotted Rotors?

[explorer72]

I have a 97 Ex 4x4 and I'm going to be replacing the stock rotors and pads this weekend. My question to everyone is if any of you have upgraded to a 'high quality' Cross Drill or Slotted setup and how they have worked for you. The reason I want to upgrade is that I tow a trailer with 2 Quads and want to 'improve' my braking performance (mostly the not overheating or wrapping part). Have most of you had plenty of luck with stock rotors as to not warrent the upgrade to CD/SD rotors or do you recommend folking out the extra cash because they make "Oooh so much more difference"? Any and all info would be most welcome!!!

 

[CDW6212R]

You have a heavy brake application. The most important thing you should do is be sure that you have the highest quality brake parts.

A lot of the aftermarket parts that you see(rotors, Ebay, average parts stores) are selling lower quality stuff. For 95% of all vehicles, no one will notice the difference. Only the few that potentially use their brakes hard will discover the problems with the cheaper parts.

You would be better off with stock Ford rotors than a low quality drilled or slotted rotor elsewhere. The same goes for pads, brake fluid, and calipers.

If you absolutely want the better looking rotors, but them from a very well known brake company. Their stuff is usually better. I have a 98 Mountaineer which I installed four new EBC rotors and pads onto, 44,000 miles ago. They are very good rotors, and are spot faced. They were about $150 a pair, and the pads are excellent also, at about $50 an end. Good luck,
Don

 

[CDW6212R]

How much weight are you towing, how far and how often? For light towing just good brake maintenance, and careful driving will be enough for you.

Be sure to replace as much brake fluid as you can, don't let air get into the ABS pump, ever. Bleed the brakes at regular intervals, and use the best brake fluid you can find.
Don

 

[explorer72]

Yeah, I know there are some serious 'crap' rotors out there mostly from places like Ebay. I was thinking about the EBC spot/slotted rotor and a high quailty ceremic pad to go with it but just wasn't sure if I'd see improvements. I trailer my quads every other weekend about 2 to 3 hours away depending. I also drive my Ex like I'm trying out for the next 'Fast and Furious' movie so yeah I'm pretty hard on my brakes, lol, hence my other concern. So do we think going with the EBC's would be the way to go? I like the fact that they are spotted and not drilled all the way through, less chance of cracking.

 

[CDW6212R]

I've enjoyed them for two years now. I have towed twice, a 310 mile trip with about 4500 pounds, and a 175 mile trip pulling a 99 Limited wreck, on the same big 2000 pound trailer.

Towing anything is less safe than towing nothing, of course. If you would really like better brakes, and are mechanically inclined, there is a better option. I am using that 99 Explorer chassis under my 93 Limited. The 93 is my mail vehicle, which is far more abusive to brakes than anything. I have finished upgrading the 99 brakes to the Sport Trac front brakes.

If you are interested, the 2001 Explorer Sport and Sport Trac have 12" front rotors, instead of 11" rotors. I've already done the work, so I can tell you what it takes.

The only difference is the rotor, and the spindle. I haven't driven it yet, so I cannot yet say whether any change is needed with the master cylinder. I doubt it. My Explorer is 4WD, so I had to find a pair of 4WD spindles. The calipers set out 1/2" farther out on those spindles, for the 1/2" larger radius rotors. I chose to buy a pair of new Sport Trac slotted and drilled rotors.

I'll see if they can be made to crack, because I make some heat. I'll finish off the Ford pads, and then get the EBC pads. They are very good, and hopefully will last as long as Ford pads. I installed a new set of the rear EBC pads already, they were $45 shipped.

To see a few pictures, go to the ********* website, in my gallery, or give me an email address. Good luck,
Don

 

[jimbo74]

2 quads on a trailer? thats ome pretty good amount of weight wit ha lot of driving.... i would recommend getting a dedicated trailer brake system installed for safety and some life out of the cars own brakes....

 

[CDW6212R]

Agreed, trailer brakes would be vastly superior to any other upgrades.
Don

 

[explorer72]

Word, thanks for all the input guys. Even though the Quads are just 250's I'll look into Trailer brakes, might save more than just my brakes in the long run.

 

[aldive]

I a, a believer in trailer brakes.

Also, you can improve the braking of your truck ( with and without the trailer ) by using slotted rotors and quality pads. I noticed quite an improvement when I went with Power Slot rotors ( http://www.powerslot.com/ ).

Good luck .......

 

[MONMIX]

how much did you pay for your powerslots Al ?

 

[aldive]

how much did you pay for your powerslots Al ?

Sorry, I do not remember; they were on sale at Performance Products when I got them.

Well worth whatever they cost.

 

[Brian_B]

For future reference only: Are they available for the front and rear? I don't know anything about them yet, sorry.

 

[IAmTodd]

Front and rear. You can't get drilled rotors for a 4WD. Only slotted.

 

[Brian_B]

Front and rear. You can't get drilled rotors for a 4WD. Only slotted.

Thats good information for me to know. Thanks. Why are the cross drilled not available? It looks like a 4X4 would need the better brakes. (very confused)

Again, sorry. I am just learing about all this.

 

[CDW6212R]

The cross drilled are available for anything. Those Sport Trac rotors that I have on my 99 Limited SOHC 4x4 chassis are drilled and slotted. They were about $145 total.
Don

 

[Howard]

Well I put power slots all round with hawk pads and I am very happy with the increased braking effect. Very low dust and it now stops when you want to.

 

[FAT CAT]

I put the Power Slots in the front with new Hawk pads all around & it's much better. I have 33" tires and had a lot of brake fade before, now with the new rotors & pads, i don't notice any fade at all.

Happy again for the next 10mins. till I decide on the next mod

 

[davidmmm69]

like this

 

[CDW6212R]

Good picture, is that spindle for lifting, and is that 2WD? I don't see an axle.
Don

 

[davidmmm69]

yeah 2 wd... the spindal is for the 3 inch lift...

new everything
this was allinstalled new..
spindal
wheel bearings
washer
nut
cotter pin
and even dust cap.
along with new brake pads.
ball joints
tie rod ends


the front feels like a new truck again..
feels like my 2002
i think the dilled rotors are a little over kill for an explorer but i got them cheap from the guy i bought the spindal lift from on here..